The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality awarded more than $160 million in loans to improve water infrastructure systems in Flint, metro Detroit and throughout Michigan.

The program, which includes $46.7 million in principal loan forgiveness for employing green practices or meeting affordability criteria, is part of a state commitment to help municipalities take on nearly a dozen water and sewer projects across the state. With a reported $800 million annual gap in funding for water-related infrastructure, according to a Governor's 21st Century Infrastructure Commission report, the loan program offers lower interest rates than the open market, a news release said.

Flint will get a $40 million zero interest loan with 100 percent principal forgiveness to replace 6,000 water service lines through the federal Water Infrastructure Improvements for Nation Act. Flint has been plagued with tainted water issues since 2014 when the city switched from Detroit's water system to the Flint River to save money. The river water was not properly treated to prevent lead pipe corrosion, leading to contamination.